Republican John Boehner: I’m suing Obama over his ‘flippant dismissal’ of the Constitution
The Speaker of the US House of Representatives has defended his decision to sue President Obama over his “abuse” of executive orders.
Last month, Obama confirmed plans to sign an executive order banning anti-gay workplace discrimination, after the Employment Non-Discrimination Act was stalled by Speaker John Boehner in the House of Representatives.
Boehner subsequently announced last week that he plans to file a lawsuit against the President for ‘abusing his authority’ by passing executive orders and circumventing Congress.
Despite the action, Obama dismissed the lawsuit as a “stunt”, and has since announced yet another executive order, banning transphobic workplace discrimination.
In a statement today, Boehner claims: “Too often over the past five years, the President has circumvented the American people and their elected representatives through executive action, changing and creating his own laws, and excusing himself from enforcing statutes he is sworn to uphold — at times even boasting about his willingness to do it, as if daring the American people to stop him.
“What’s disappointing is the President’s flippant dismissal of the Constitution we are both sworn to defend. It is utterly beneath the dignity of the office.
“I know the President is frustrated. I’m frustrated. The American people are frustrated, too.
“Congress has its job to do, and so does the President. When there are conflicts like this — between the legislative branch and the executive branch — it is my view that it is our responsibility to stand up for this institution in which we serve, and for the Constitution.”
